Tech Net Notes January 21, 2009

THE BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT ON THE TECH NET. IT IS NOT COMPLETE, BUT IT COVERS MOST OF THE POINTS DISCUSSED.

1. ke5omv, Don asks, " When can you use ladder line as a feed line for your HF antenna? In other words, how careful should you be on where you run your ladder line? or, what are the parameters that exists in the running of ladder line?

kc5uoq, Larry, asks a trivia question, "How many counties in Oklahoma voted for McCain?" The answer is...all of them; Oklahoma was the only state that carried MCCain in all of the state's counties.

kc5uoq, Larry added, "My scanning antenna works good with ladder line. No experience with transmitting through ladder feed line."

ke5wga, Ray, had no experience with ladder line or HF gear at this point.

ke5otq, Dennis, also uses ladder line for listening only.

n5fem, Steve says that in his experience, ladder line is too difficult to use. If you use it, it is best to keep the ladder line in the open. Rather than using it he would rather use a balun with coax back to the radio.

kd5cny, Tom, "No experience with ladder line."

kd5jkh, Martin, "The advantage of ladder line is low loss."

wa5psa, Brad says about ladder line, " I run 80-6 meters on one dipole. It is low loss. The SWR on ladder line on the antenna side of the antenna tuner does not create the loss as it would on coax. I use it for that reason. Cross metal objects at a 90 degree angle. Mine runs loosely behind my desk into a closet, up to the attic, runs along some coax and rotor wire, and on to the attic antenna. Each end of the dipole goes through an eve of the house and then angles down to a fence. It works good.

2. ke5uiu, Chris questions - Why can you not use larger than 12 gauge wire on a dipole antenna?

ke5yoo, Mike, "I believe it doesn't really matter what size wire you use, most programs don't address larger than 12 gauge. The size may change the capacitive characteristics of the antenna.

n5fem, Steve, "Over 12 gauge you may be getting into solid wire. I normally use 14 gauge wire.

kd5cny, Tom, " My opinion is that stranded vs. solid signal travels on the outside of the wire, on a solid core the signal travels smoothly...if there is a kink or a bend it can affect the signal. Solid core should (normally) be better. The bigger diameter of your driven element, the broader the bandwidth. 8 gauge wire weighs more and will be harder to support.

wa5psa, Brad, says, "My gues is that the calculations shut off past 12 gauge due to structural considerations.




Note: If you have an opinion, feel free to leave it as a comment. And of course, if you have a question for a future net topic, leave it in the comment area as well.